GHUZNEE. 



373 



20th. — Proceeded to Nanee, distance eight to ten miles, bearing 

 north-east ; after descending slightly from the ground we encamped 

 on, and turning the east extremity of its slope, the road is good, sandy 

 and shingly, running close to low undulated hills. No change in vege- 

 tation. Encamped on undulated shingly ground formed from low 

 hills to the north, about half a mile off : Ghuznee is thence visible, 

 situated close under a range of hills, the walls high, having many 

 bastions, and one angle on the south face. Abundance of villages 

 and topes or groves about the valley closing up with irregular barren 

 mountains. Picquets were seen about five miles from our camp, 

 but no appearance of an army about Ghuznee. 



The valley up which we have come since leaving Mookhloor, 

 runs opposite this place, from nearly east to north, and apparently, 

 terminates beyond Ghuznee ; it is highly capable, is well inhabited 

 and much cultivated. So are all the valleys that we have seen on 

 surmounting the boundary ridges : the villages occupy each indentation 

 of the valley, as well as its general level. 



Barometer at 1 p. m. 23*336, thermometer 91°: new thermometric 

 bar. 697*1, old 597*2. Latitude mean of three observations 33° 24' 

 26" North. 



21s?. — Moved to Ghuznee, ten miles six furlongs. Cavalry in very 

 regular columns on the left ; infantry to the right, and the artillery 

 in the centre ; the park bringing up the rear : to the last moment 

 we were not aware whether the place would hold out or not. The 

 Commander-in-Chief and staff moved far in advance to reconnoitre 

 until we entered a road between some gardens, at the exit of which 

 we were almost within range of the town ; here we halted ; a fire 

 was soon set up against us from gardens to our left, and somewhat 

 in advance, but all the shots fell far short. On the arrival of the 

 infantry, the light companies of the 16th, the 48th were sent to clear 

 the gardens, which they easily did, although from being trenched 

 vineyards, walled and treed, their defence might have been very ob- 

 stinate. In the mean time the guns on the south face of the for- 

 tress opened on us, and our artillery forming line at about 800 

 yards range, opened their fire of spherical case and round shot in 

 return ; other guns in the fort then opened, and a sharp fire was 

 kept up on those in the gardens by jhinjals and pigadas, who when 

 hard pressed took refuge in an outwork or round tower. The fire 

 from the south-east extremity was soon silenced pro tempore, the 

 shrapnel practice being very effective. The howitzer battery on the 



